Investigation of Soil Effect on VHF Surface Wave Propagation of RF Signal in Kogi State, Nigeria

International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering

© 2019 by SSRG - IJECE Journal

Volume 6 Issue 9

Year of Publication : 2019

Authors : Farouq E. Shaibu, Evans C. Ashigwuike, Muhammad Uthman

10.14445/23488549/IJECE-V6I9P102

How to Cite?

Farouq E. Shaibu, Evans C. Ashigwuike, Muhammad Uthman, "Investigation of Soil Effect on VHF Surface Wave Propagation of RF Signal in Kogi State, Nigeria," SSRG International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering, vol. 6,  no. 9, pp. 7-13, 2019. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488549/IJECE-V6I9P102

Abstract:

This research work adopted an improved Friis-space path loss model for both regular and irregular terrain in Kogi State to investigate the effect of soil on VHF surface wave propagation. With a digital signal strength meter, the signal strength of the transmitted signal were taken along two different routes of Kogi Central; Kogi East, and Kogi West at ten different locations from the transmitting station. The corresponding distances were measured using Global Positioning System (GPS). A Sony 12 Bands Stereo Receiver was buried in the ground of different soil types and its phono output port was connected to a personal computer in order to analyze its received signal strength by virtue of signal analyzing software. Three different types of soil were considered within the coverage area of the propagation of RF signal. Measurements of received signal strength taken along two different routes were compared against predictions made by the improved Friis Free Space model for the path loss. The results obtained show that the central part of the state, which is predominantly enriched with sandy soil experiences low signal strength. This implies that RF signal induces more current in sandy soil with respect to its reflected signal from the ground.

Keywords:

Surface wave, Soil, Path loss, Signal strength.

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SSRG International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering (SSRG-IJECE) – Volume 6 Issue –9 Sep 2019
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